"HOW YOU DOIN' TODAY?"

FAMILY...it has truly been an exceptional week!

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so so very grateful for the love He has for me. I am grateful to know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is physical evidence that he is. I know that only through our Savior, Jesus Christ, can we return to live with God. 

Holly! - Last Monday evening we stopped by the home of a potential investigator. The mother answered the door after a long day of work and was just arriving home. She let us right in and asked question after question. Every question she asked highlighted a doctrinal truth of the restoration! She loves history so as we shared about the Book of Mormon and the Bible being companions she was in absolute "AWE." We asked to return on a day or two later and she seemed to have quite the busy schedule. However, when we were walking to the door she said on her own, "I am not busy next Monday, you are welcome to come back then." She has two you young boys who will be outstanding future priesthood holders! 

Castro Family! One evening we pulled into HEB (the local grocery store) to use their restroom. We were divinely guided even as we pulled into our parking spot….. a family pulled into the parking spot across from us. Sister Dimatera looks up and says, "They are Filipino!" We step out of the car and walk towards them as my companion says, "Kababayan!!!" They invited us to come share some of our basic beliefs with them the following evening. We brought a brother who was previously of the Catholic faith. He shared an outstanding and powerful testimony of the prophet, Joseph Smith and of the Book of Mormon. We will be seeing them tomorrow evening again! 

Martha! As we were walking into our apartment complex we saw an old woman taking her trash to the dumpster. She was Hispanic, however, since Spanish and Tagolog are so similar my companion was able to speak with her and understand a great majority of what she was saying. Incredibly enough, the Elders serving in the Spanish branch pulled up a few moments later and were able to fully understand her concerns. Just moments earlier the elders mentioned that a member had mentioned one of their friends who they wanted them to speak with but they didn’t know where she lived. It was Martha! 

Gloria! She is an outstanding woman who knows a lot of information about her family. We invited her to attend the family history center and she came this past Saturday. Sister Giles, an outstanding woman, came and helped Gloria as long as she needed. I was expecting a half hour, but she stayed with her much, much longer. Gloria was so happy and so pleased. At the end she asked, "Do you get points, or bonuses for helping me today?" Her interested was piqued as to why people would volunteer so much time to help someone they just met with something so special to them. What a powerful tool family history work is in allowing others to feel God's love. 

Have an exceptional week each one of you! Love always, Sister Davis

"GOD IS MINDFUL OF EVERY PEOPLE" Alma 26:37

Mother! Father! Jordan! Cristy! Adri! Tyler! and Tuck! 

I love each one of you. Thank you for all you have done for me. I will be forever grateful for you. Thank goodness for the eternities we will spend together. 

The past couple weeks have been overflowing with joy, repentance, excitement, progression, change and so much more. 

Elder Hamula of the seventy came to visit our mission! He was just recently called to the seventy earlier this year. It was just an honor to sit at the feet of a seventy and hear his words from our Heavenly Father. We had a couple of opportunities to ask questions. One of the most powerful lessons I am still allowing to sink in is that every question can be answered by our Heavenly Father, and does not have to come from the mouth of a companion, church leader, mission president or apostle. It can come directly from our Heavenly Father to you. We can ask, we can desire, we can listen and we can act. A lesson I will be learning every day...how to be an ‘agent’. 

My wonderful new companion, Sister Dimatera, is an outstanding example of this. She strives and stretches to reach the next level. She has a powerful knowledge that God loves her and trusts her in this calling. I am so grateful to be her companion. I feel I never want to leave her side and can never learn enough from her.  She is from Rizal, Phillippines and was serving on Temple Square. She has an opportunity to serve 3 months in an "outbound" mission and she was called to serve in the wonderful TSAM! 

Trunk or Treat was an outstanding evening! There were so many family and friends visiting! It was wonderful for them to be inside our church building and meet so many members of the church. WOW How incredible! 

This week was full of meeting families who are less-active who we had no idea about. Just about every day we would either knock on a door, or approach someone on the street, or receive a referral from a random neighbor and they would be a member of the church! It is amazing to see that we "know not but what they will return and repent." 

Sister Peterson attended church once again! She is so amazing and feels that this is good but is not sure how to identify it. She is still shaky about meeting with us , but we try to swing by the home and work through Brother Peterson quite a bit! 

This past week Sister Barrick was prompted to stop by a family who attended both a baptism and the primary program but were not interested in learning more. I (fearing man) was a bit shaky about it, but after a bit we stopped by and it was just what was needed. She was so sweet and warm and welcoming. She mentioned in passing to her daughter, 'we will have to attend church sometime again with Staci." A wonderful family that will be sealed for time and all eternity! 

Sister Dimatera is a professional at speaking with everyone no matter what! (She reminds me of you, mother.) We stopped to use the restroom at the local grocery store and Sister Dimatera became instant friends with those in the restroom. We stopped to have a quick dinner at a gas station and we spoke with two different individuals who continued to ask questions. The power of opening our mouths, preaching by the way and talking with everyone no matter what! This was re-enforced to us by the visit we received from Elder and Sister Hamula. How grateful I am for all that I am able to learn on an hourly basis. 

I am so grateful to serve. I am grateful for the blessings that continue to pour down on every child of God every day. I am grateful to know that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored. Love each one of you always and forever, Sister Davis

New companion-S. Dimatera

MLC with Elder Hamula!

"HAVE YE EXPERIENCED A MIGHTY CHANGE IN YOUR HEARTS?"

Dearist Family!!! 

The minutes, the hours, the days, the weeks just keep getting better! I love being a soldier in God's Army! 

The Leon Springs Ward is by far the greatest place to be at this time. A few weeks ago we met Brian walking with his daughter. We shared with him the Book of Mormon and he accepted it, mentioning his wife was a strong Catholic and was not going to change, but he would read it. The Dinning family, in the ward, lives just down the road and so we stopped to share with them the experience! They were stoked to hear and so willing to help. They made an extra effort to say “Hi” to them on the street. A couple weeks later we stopped by to drop off a Trunk or Treat invitation. The wife answered the door and was very kind and gentle and receiving. So we gave the Dinning family an update of what had occurred. Sister Dinning has been praying for the family lately and asking us a lot about them. Saturday evening she was ready and pumped to go introduce herself to them official, but felt steered another direction. So Sunday evening she was prompted to go and went. She met Brian, as the wife and kids were out for the night. Sister Dinning mentioned that she had heard from us about giving Brian a Book of Mormon and his wife a Trunk or Treat invite, and she followed up on both invitations! (Elder Ballard would be proud!) As a neighbor and a friend Sister Dinning  was able to answer many of his questions about the church in general. She testified of the restoration, of temples, of prophets and so much more. She related to us that it felt normal and it was real and just friendly. She extended a more specific invite to read 3 Nephi 11 and placed a bookmark in place. WOW …. outstanding! This work could not have gone forward without her power and excitement to help. I am so grateful for the strong testimonies of the members here. Their hearts are pure! 

The primary president in our ward, Sister Jenkins and her family are on fire as well. Having three girls and a crazy home, somehow she is still able to find time to help us. Multiple times she has come out with us to drop off invitations to families we have met in the area. She gladly introduces herself and asks about the kids that might attend the same school as hers. WOW I am just in awe of their help and so grateful. It has made a world of difference. 

Janet is an investigator whom we have been working with quite a bit lately. She has asked that members not come to her lessons because she feels it is a burden on their families and takes so much time away from their family time. Sister Cobabe, from the ward, has befriended her over time and the other night we asked Janet if Sister Cobabe could come to a lesson. Janet immediately agreed and said, "Oh I love her, of course she can." Miracles came immediately after. That evening Janet's countenance changed. She listened intently to this member who had befriended her. She then told Sister Cobabe her deepest concerns and why she would not be baptized yet. This all happened after we headed home for the night. The great power these members in the Leon Springs Ward. 

One last member, Sister Metcalf. Just recently she shared with us her change in sharing the gospel. A few months ago she would tell you that she tried as much as possible NOT to bring up the church with her friends and was a bit timid to pray for missionary experiences for many reasons. (Fear of not being able to answer questions, taking up more time in her schedule, explaining answers to questions etc. and so forth). She said she finally realized that she must get over her selfish fears and understand the bigger picture. She began praying for missionary opportunities. She began seeing a bigger picture in the work. That it did not require more time, but rather it became part of her nature, attitude and conversations; that she did not have to answer every question; that the Lord would guide and direct her in every way. I wish I could copy and post her thoughts and words here but I am just paraphrasing. "Have ye experienced a might change in your hearts?" 

I could go on and on with the week, but you are free to read my journal entries for this week after I die because I have recorded them there. I thank you again for the love and joy you each have brought to my life. Sister Barrick thought I was a bit crazy this week when I set a goal to only do things in life that either 1) Build God's Kingdom 2) Help my Family. She said "Ill follow up with that in a few years and see." Truly, I love this work with all my heart. I am sincerely grateful to know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, the priesthood has been restored, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lords kingdom. 

Always, Always, Sister Davis 

"...YE ARE ETERNALLY INDEBTED TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER..."

Family! 

OH! The week sounds like it was quite fun! I am glad to hear you loved and enjoyed Meet the Mormons! What powerful stories! We each have our own and get to share it personally with those we meet. 

I love each one of you dearly. Thank you for everything you have taught me. I often tell stories of each of you to Sister Barrick and after every one she says, "I want to meet your family!" So, y’all are famous! 

I learned of humility this week! Once we think we are humble, we are prideful. A similar quote I heard recently...."Forget yourself. And when you find yourself, forget yourself again, because you're in the wrong place." I am sure Heavenly Father wants to teach us so much from Him, however, I have learned that if I don’t ask and yearn for it, He will not give. 

We stopped by a women’s this past week who we met a few months ago, but was hesitant to talk with us at the time. When we spoke with her on Sat evening she mentioned how her family has been trying different churches to fit with all of their different personalities. Her 10yr old son had been asking lately, "Mom, let’s just try one more church, can we try one more?" Wow! The power of a child of God!

Sandra (Brother Peterson's wife) attended church again this week! She has been studying the pamphlets and her Bible. She is taking notes so diligently and asking questions to Brother Peterson!!!

We were able to meet some other wonderful families this past week as well! It is so interesting how we can spend hours and hours on end within the same 10 acres of homes, and week after week we will meet a family that we have never seen before. “WOW! We have walked and driven past that home a countless number, but never once met the family that lives there”. It has taught me even more about the principle of FAITH. The miracles that occur do not depend on my ability, my luck, my chance to meet this family or that family, but rather is FULLY dependent on faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ! 

As I went on quite a few short exchanges this past week, it was powerful to see the differences in each of God's Children. How we learn differently, how we receive direction differently, how we listen differently, and how we act differently. In no way, would I be able to gain enough education to learn these different behaviors AND THEN learn how to work with each personality. Heavenly Father has given us the endless ability to work with others, to learn from them, to strengthen to them. 

I am eternally indebted to my Heavenly Father. Always, Sister Davis

COME SING TO THE LORD!

Dearest Family!!! 

What a joyful and powerful experience we each had yesterday! It is wonderful to know that even though we are all in different places, we can hear from living prophets and apostles. Oh the peace and excitement that is felt from the songs, the prayers, the testimonies and the eternal truths etched into our hearts! 

MEET THE MORMONS! It will be coming to San Antonio this weekend as well! It is quite the drive from our area, but we are still sooo excited! After watching this film, it caused me to think of how powerful media will be in sharing the gospel. How vital media is in hastening the work. We received a message this past week from our stake. "Now the request is to go to the movie and invite other to go with them. As we have heard more than once, including From Elder Holland in his introduction to the Meet the Mormon, the box-office performance of the movie during the first weekend is crucial to its continued showing. Given the highly competitive nature of the film industry, doing the best we can to fill the theater those two days is essential."

As we rode our bikes on the country roads this past week, we stopped to see a women waiting for her son's school bus. She seemed not too interested in the beginning, but as we began to walk away she asked a question. We began to share more of what we know to be true. We asked when we could return and she replied, "Well I'll be out here tomorrow around this same time." She read the entire pamphlet we gave to her and wanted to complete the additional study. She promised to read the Book of Mormon and asked when we are coming back. Many families are yearning for this, even though at first glance they (and us) may easily skip over our powerful message!

While walking one evening, we approached a mother sweeping her garage. After a few short sentences she expressed to us how she had lost a family member recently. We shared with her the promise that she can live with her family member after this life. She responded, "Really? You think I can live with them? Can that really happen?" With overwhelming joy we said YES, you can! 

"A convert (and investigators) need three things,( and one of those things) is a friend in the Church to whom you can constantly turn, who will walk beside you, who will answer your questions, who will understand your problems."  (President Hinckley, Oct 2006 Ensign). We saw a new light and perspective of this principle this past week. We met with Jan who has had challenges and obstacles during her journey of learning about the church. A friend of hers joined us in the lesson this past week, and having a best friend by her side, talking and discussing with her, allowed Jan to experience thoughts and feelings and powerful moments that sunk deep into her heart. We left her home after some time, but the friend stayed for an hour or so longer. The following evening Jan opened up even more. Something we have been praying for and pondering about for days was answered when her dear friend made a visit with us and it had such an impact. "...By very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." Alma 36:7

 It has been a powerful week! We met with a less-active who expressed to us how she has felt punished by God. She did not want to have any more children after her first two boys, but a few months later she found herself pregnant with twin boys. As I expressed to her "Wow, your hands must be full, and I am sure your heart is overflowing with joy!" She responded by expressing her heart is far from joy. She knows there is a God, but then expressed very strongly that He does not love her. My heart aches to even type this. I cringed when I heard that. I have never cherished the first principle we teach to everyone more than now in my life. "God is our Loving Heavenly Father." 

I know God is indeed our Heavenly Father. I know He loves each one of us. I know He desires to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39

I love each one of you. Thank you for your love in return. I hope you are enjoying the cool weather but staying warm still.                     Sincerely, Sister Davis

COME LISTEN TO A PROPHETS VOICE!

Dear Family! Oh it has been a wonderful week! Filled with so much Joy! 

You have heard of "Meet the Mormons" I am sure. It will be released in various locations Oct 10th!!!! We had the greatest opportunity to see it at a Zone conference this past week with President Slaughter. It was phenomenal! However that may just be a cheesy missionary opinion. But it truly was hilarious, touching and powerful! A member in our ward returned from a meeting regarding this movie. He mentioned that members of different faiths said after watching this movie that they would let missionaries in to listen if they came knocking on their door. TELL EVERYONE TO SEE IT!

John&Amber: A beautiful family! They are currently catholic. Brother Flynn, who converted from Catholicism, came with us to a lesson this past week. John asked very direct questions of Brother Flynn and why he left the catholic church, how he knew this was true etc. Brother Flynn explained clearly that after questioning and wondering, he felt this was where he needed to be. Brother Flynn's father was a devout catholic, Brother Flynn was an alter boy and took catechism classes. However, he knew this was Christ's church and that he must be a member of it. He encouraged John and Amber to continue learning and reading! So powerful! I just wanted to cheer, clap, scream and shout and say "Amen" after every sentence Brother Flynn said. John and Amber would have never had the same experience if it was only Sister Barrick and I testifying. Members are outstanding and so helpful!

We attended the baptism for three 8 yr olds on Saturday! The spirit was overpowering. Sherry and her daughter Ruby came! (friend of Aiden, one of the 8yr olds) All the primary children sang "I am a Child of God." Ruby was the only one up front with a hymnbook in hand, but she sang at the top of her lungs and with passion. At the end of the baptism she told her mother she was getting baptized into Aiden's church. As we spoke with Sherry afterwards, she had tears in her eyes. She mentioned that she is not ready to learn more at this time, but there was no doubt that the spirit pierced her heart. She even attended the primary program Sunday morning and loved it! She will remember these moments for eternity! 

The Primary Program was a success! They almost filled the entire gym with seats! There were about 15-20 members from different faiths who attended (teachers, classmates, neighbors, boyfriends, brothers, sisters, spouses etc) and even more family and friends visiting!  There are more kids in our ward than adults so you can imagine how packed the stand was. The sunbeams sang, ‘Follow the Prophet’. As they finished the chorus..."Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet he knows the way." …. a young voice shouted out again, "He knows  the way." Everyone had a good laugh after that. The words these children spoke impacted individuals at just the right time, with just the right spirit. It is powerful to see how each one can hit the heart of one person out of so many in the congregation. 

Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson does indeed know the way. We have the great blessing and honor to hear from the prophet of the whole earth this weekend. This past week we have been handing out invitations to listen to conference. As we have testified of a living prophet many people have given odd looks, shut the door rather quickly or asked questions. President Slaughter mentioned this in his email this past week. "He (the prophet) says what needs to be said. He does not fear man. He is more concerned about offending God than he is about offending man (D&C 3:7). He is called because the Lord trusts him to speak plainly, that all may be left without excuse." The truth will always be opposed. It just amazes me every time there is great opposition. I immediately think, "WOW this must be true, if there is that strong of a negative reaction to it." It gives me more fire and energy to find those millions of people who are waiting to hear and listen to this profound truth. I know there is a living prophet on this earth today. His name is President Thomas S. Monson. We get to hear from him this weekend and we can choose to listen carefully. How grateful I am to be living in this time. 

I love each one of you. Thank you, thank you for all you have done. I think of you often throughout the week. I pray for you often. I am so grateful for the lessons you have taught me that I use on an hourly basis. Thank you! Always, Sister Davis

Zone Conference

"...LITTLE CHILDREN DO HAVE WORDS GIVEN UNTO THEM MANY TIMES...WHICH CONFOUND THE WISE AND THE LEARNED..." Alma 32:23

MOTHER, FATHER, JORDAN, CRISTY, ADRI, TYLER, and TUCKER!!! 

Exactly 187 years ago from today in 1827, Joseph Smith obtained the gold plates, a record of God's dealings with ancient inhabitants of the America's and the fullness of the everlasting gospel! Many events followed, including persecution, ridicule and mocking….events that we cannot comprehend or understand. All this occurred so we could hold a witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ in our hands. AND more importantly so that others could come to know, understand and accept the fullness of the everlasting gospel!!! What a miraculous day! 

I am not sure if I mentioned but we received a new Ward Mission Leader, Brother Howell. WOW He truly has gone above and beyond. He is living the higher law and see's the Lords Vision. There are so many aspects to being a ward mission leader and I commend him for jumping right in! He has gone out of the way to help us. I would have never thought of all that he has offered to us in helping. He keeps me on my toes, that is for sure. 

In the Leon Springs Ward there are some well developed areas with gates, guards, security cameras and celebrities. We visited a family this past week in one of these areas. It was evening and as we drove through the neighborhood and there were many homes we drove past with the windows open and the lights on so you could see inside the home. (sounds creepy, but I believe it is just their culture) As I looked at one beautiful home, there was a father sitting at the dining room table reading the newspaper. Across the table was his son, who sat on the edge of his seat, a bit uncomfortable, looking down and a bit upset. I thought, “here is the most beautiful home, and a beautiful family and they don’t know about the most prized possession in the entire universe, the gospel of Jesus Christ.” How I wish I could have walked up their brightly lit path, to the big glass door and shared with them what I know. (I don’t think it would have worked so well with the guards and security cameras all around. lol) 

Many families here in Leon Springs are helping so many friends accept the gospel. 

Sister Metcalf: She came to a lesson with us, and the lesson fell through. Her friend lived right next door so she asked if we could stop by and she could introduce us to her friend. She was so helpful and was willing to stop by a few other families in the area with us to drop off invites to the primary program this upcoming Sunday!(hence, my subject line this week)

Obeng family: We dropped off the restoration dvd to this family a few weeks ago. The member who is friends with Mrs. Obeng said that she brought the restoration dvd to watch at soccer practice! WOW - the power of a just a simple authentic movie. 

Phelps: As we stopped by a family we have been trying to get in touch with, we saw the home across the street had their garage door open. The mother of the home answered and mentioned she was busy helping her daughter with homework and this wasn't a good time. Typically this excuse is given as a kind way to mention they are not interested. Thinking nothing of it we left her with a card so she could contact us at another time and drove to our next appt. On the way there we received a message from Sister Almager in the ward. "My friend just texted me and said you just knocked on her door. She mentioned she would have sat down and spoken with you if she were not helping her daughter with homework and fixing dinner." AHHHHHH OH MY GOONDESS! After she spoke with her friend a little more she found out that she has been searching for a church home and just hadn't found something yet. Sister Almager mentioned that this has been a long time childhood friend who she has spoken with quite a bit about the church. She is familiar with a lot that occurs (the people, the activities etc) All that was needed was an invitation! We will be seeing the family at the Alamger's son's baptism this Saturday! 

I love and cherish the Book of Mormon. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to know of His church on this earth. 

Love you all so Very Much!  Sister Davis

P-Day nature walk

Our last district